Safety in Guatemala - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 06-26-2007, 08:24 PM

The following is from the U.S. Deparatment of State Consular Information Sheet for Guatemala:

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Violent criminal activity continues to be a problem in Guatemala, including murder, rape, and armed assaults against foreigners. The police force is inexperienced and under-funded, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Well-armed criminals know there is little chance they will be caught or punished. Traditionally, Guatemala experiences increases in crime before and during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons.

Large demonstrations occur throughout Guatemala, often with little or no notice, and can cause serious traffic disruptions. Although most demonstrations are peaceful, they can turn violent, and travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. The use of roadblocks and/or blocking of public facilities, including the international airport, has increased and demonstrators may prevent tourists caught behind the blockades from leaving.

Due to uncontrolled drug and alien smuggling, the Guatemalan border with Mexico is a relatively high-risk area, in particular in the northern Peten Department. The most dangerous area in that region is on the northwestern border in the area that includes the Sierra de Lacandon and Laguna del Tigre National Parks. Extra precautions are required when U.S. Government personnel travel to the region.

canarymoon · 06-26-2007, 08:25 PM

The following recommendations will help residents and visitors alike to increase their safety:

Avoid gatherings of agitated people. Frustration over crime and a lack of appropriate judicial remedies has led to violent incidents of vigilantism, including lynching, especially in more isolated, rural areas. Attempting to intervene may put you at risk of attacks from mobs.
Avoid close contact with children, including taking photographs, especially in rural areas. Such contact can be viewed with deep alarm and may provoke panic and violence. Rumors of foreigners stealing children surface periodically and can provoke a violent response towards strangers. Foreign tourists have been attacked by mobs and some years ago one was killed while photographing children.
Keep informed of possible demonstrations by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. Avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring.
Strong currents, riptides, and undertow along Guatemala's Pacific Coast beaches pose a serious threat to even the strongest swimmers. Signs warning of treacherous surf are rare and confined mostly to private beaches owned by hotels. Lifeguards are rarely present on beaches.
Tourists planning to climb Pacaya and Agua volcanoes during Guatemala's rainy season (May through October) should plan their climb for the morning hours, when it is less likely that thunderstorms will occur. Climbers should monitor the weather situation and return to the base of the volcano as quickly as safely possible if thunderstorms gather. In 2003, a Canadian tourist was killed by lightning while climbing Pacaya. INGUAT, the Guatamalan Tourist Institute, has organized an active community-based tourism program in San Vicente Pacaya to minimize the risk of armed robbery on Pacaya. Climbing in groups is still highly advisable for any volcano climb to reduce the risk of assault.

Security escorts for tourist groups and security information are available from the Tourist Assistance Office of INGUAT (the Guatemalan Tourist Institute) at 7a Avenida 1-17, Zona 4 Centro Cívico, Ciudad de Guatemala. INGUAT’s 24 hour/seven days per week direct telephone numbers for tourist assistance and emergencies are (502) 2421-2810 and (502) 5578-9836 and the fax is (502) 2421-2891. INGUAT may be reached by its toll free number within the United States at 1-888- 464-8281. You may also simply dial 1500 in Guatemala to reach INGUAT Tourist Assistance. The e-mail address is asistur@inguat.gob.gt. Travelers may also wish to visit INGUAT’s website, http://visitguatemala.com. Tourist groups are advised to request security escorts from INGUAT

The foregoing text (in post #'s 1 and 2) is from http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html

canarymoon · 07-29-2007, 08:17 AM

Another warning, this one emphasizing contact with children ... child stealing and related MOB violence.

Rumors of child stealing and of murder for organ harvesting have recently surfaced in many areas of Guatemala, some of which are frequented by American tourists.

Issued July 18, 2007 UTC

U.S. Embassy Guatemala City issued the following Warden Message on July 18, 2007:

As of Tuesday, July 17, the highway between Flores, PetÃ©n Department and Coban, Alta Verapaz Department is unsafe to use and has been closed on repeated occasions. The ferry crossing near SayaxchÃ© has apparently been shut down by the same mob that has lynched at least two individuals in the town of Sayaxche. Further, numerous vehicles including at least one with American citizen tourists were held overnight by mobs at roadblocks about 20 miles south of Sayaxche on the highway coming from Coban. Rumors of child stealing and of murder for organ harvesting have recently surfaced in many areas of Guatemala, some of which are frequented by American tourists. In numerous locations mob violence has resulted. On July 16 and 17, 2007 in Sayaxche, PetÃ©n child stealing rumors escalated into mob action against a Guatemalan couple believed to be involved in child stealing. The husband was beaten and burned to death, and the wife threatened and reportedly held by the mob for further punishment. A local American resident attempted to calm the mob and prevent burning of the police station, but was himself held by the mob and threatened with death. Army and police forces reentered Sayaxche on July 17, but the situation is not yet under control.

On July 1, 2007, two foreigners (including an American citizen) and a Guatemalan kayaking on a river near Chicaman, Quiche were seized by a mob estimated at 500 people as suspected child stealers. Although terrified, the individuals were not physically attacked, and were eventually turned over to local police and released. The incident occurred after the group talked and joked with a local boy on the riverbank.

Rumors of child stealing have resulted in the lynching deaths of at least 8 Guatemalan citizens this year. These incidents in Quiche and the PetÃ©n are the first this year of foreigners being targeted by such mobs. Americans are reminded to avoid all gatherings of agitated people. Even when acquainted with members of a mob it is extremely dangerous to attempt to reason with them. Bear in mind that mobs, by their nature, are emotional and irrational.

Avoid close contact with children, including taking photographs, especially in villages and rural areas. Such contact can be viewed with deep alarm and may provoke panic and violence.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Departmentâ€™s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City can be reached at (502) 2326-4405 and is located at Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10. The after-hours telephone for American citizen emergencies is (502)2331-2354.

seamus · 07-29-2007, 09:48 AM

Great info for all travelers,not just Cruisers

canarymoon · 07-29-2007, 09:53 AM

Yes! Travelers in general... but I think cruising sometimes feels safer, and that's both good and bad...
We are sometimes pretty cavalier about our port visits... it feels SO safe on the ship. We feel "at home" there, and might tend to carry that feeling ashore with us.
However, it doesn't hurt to remember that when we are not at home, we are really NOT at home.
If there is a 'special' situation in one of our destinations, we should be aware of that situation.

zydecocruiser · 07-30-2007, 10:31 AM

You should always research current events wherever you travel including the US. Bad things can happen anywhere, including "home." Sayaxche is very much in the interior and highly unlikely any cruisers could get there and back in a few hours.

MD11F · 07-30-2007, 11:51 PM

Thanks for the heads up Sheila. I've always checked the State Dept website for this info when travelling to a country I've never been to before.

localady · 07-31-2007, 02:10 PM

EEK!!

And to think I was in Guatemala with my kids last Christmas.

We saw no mobs or problems, but we were never warned by HAL of any extraordinary danger.

When are these warnings sufficient for the cruise lines to pull out??? (I posed the same question in regards to Venezuela and its' political situation)

canarymoon · 07-31-2007, 05:35 PM

According to Zydeco, aabove, the location where the big mob thing happened was pretty far from the port, so the cruiselines probably aren't as concerned as they would be if it happened near the dock.
However, it never hurts to be aware of situations.

zydecocruiser · 07-31-2007, 10:58 PM

I agree to research before and always be aware, anyway.

Puerto Santo Tomas is the port I'm familiar with, and I think Livingston is about as far as most cruisers go (or about that far in any direction).

Some of the trouble spots mentioned are also marked:
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/clf/guat.jpg